Name: Shana Pittenger and Ryder

Phone #: 309-3700

Classroom: 300

Subject or Grade: English

Instructor's Statement

From Hays, Kansas, I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Fort Hays State University. This year marks my twenty-fourth as an English/language arts instructor. While I am in my eleventh year teaching English at South High, I previously taught for thirteen years at Ell-Saline Middle/High School where I also taught juniors and seniors. Since my second year teaching, I have been an adjunct instructor teaching both dual-credit and on-campus college classes for various community colleges and universities including KSU and KW. Additionally, I have been an adjunct instructor teaching a graduate-level writing class for Baker University.

My husband and I have twenty-one-year-old twins, who graduated from South High. Both are in their senior years in college. This past summer we adopted a one-year-old standard poodle named Ryder, who joined our classroom in November as a therapy dog through CARES, Inc.

My goal as a teacher is to challenge every student walking into my room to achieve his or her personal best, not to settle for mediocrity. Likewise, I strive for students to have a strong sense of accomplishment when they leave my classroom. If a student does not feel adequately challenged or perhaps feels a bit overwhelmed, I want to know. Only through effective communication can I make sure that each student is moving toward that personal best.